We are very pleased to announce that The Sportsman will re-open at 4pm on Thursday 9th July.

The team are delighted to be coming out of our enforced hibernation and we are looking forward to welcoming our lovely customers back.

We have been working hard to ensure that you can come and enjoy a pint with us in a way that is safe, without compromising our traditional pub atmosphere.

For the first weekend, Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th July, we will be open on a bookings-only basis. This will ensure we can manage the flow of customers, make any necessary tweaks to procedures and allow the staff to get back up to speed.

We will be closed on Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th July and will then reopen fully from 4pm on Wednesday 15th July.

From that date, bookings are not required but are strongly advised. To ensure safe distancing between tables we have had to reduce our capacity and all customers will be required to have a seat. That means once we are at capacity we will have to turn customers away. Book a table to avoid disappointment.

To book a table email sportsman@beerhouses.co.uk or call us on 07766131123.

You’re sure to have lots of questions. We’ve done our best to answer them below:

FAQs

What precautions are you taking to keep people safe?

We have been working hard to make The Sportsman as safe as possible and have put many new procedures in place.

The key new policy is that we have reduced our capacity and all customers must have a seat whilst they are at The Sportsman. This will ensure we can easily control the numbers of people in the building. Groups will be at least 1m+ apart, more where feasible. Separate doors to enter and exit the pub will ensure smooth flow of customers and table service will stop the need for customers to congregate around the bar.

By the entrance and exit, and by the Ladies and Gents, there are hand sanitiser facilities for customers to use.

Cleaning is of course a top priority and staff have been fully trained to ensure the pub is always clean and safe.

Finally, we will ask at least one member of each group to provide contact details for NHS Test and Trace.

 

What will the pub experience be like?

In many ways The Sportsman will be just the same. The same great drinks in the same lovely old traditional pub. The buzz of conversation over a pint of cask beer, that we’ve all missed so much during lockdown, will be just the same.

The two most notable changes will be that all customers will have a seat and you will order drinks from your table rather than going to the bar.

 

Do I need to book?

For our soft opening, Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th July, you do need to book.

From Wednesday 15th July bookings are not required. However, we strongly recommend booking if you can. All customers are required to have a seat so if we have none available we will have to turn customers away. Best to book and avoid disappointment!

 

What tables are available?

We have tables available for between 1 and 6 guests. For groups between 7 and 18 people we have two side rooms that can be booked for your exclusive use if adhering to safe distancing guidelines.

You can also book a table in our beer garden for between 1 and 6 people. Note: these tables are not undercover so you will be exposed to the elements.

 

What about the toilets?

Both the Ladies and Gents toilets will operate on a one-in-one-out system with well defined safe distanced queuing. Staff will clean the toilets at 20-minute intervals.

 

Can I smoke?

If you book a table in the beer garden you can smoke to your heart’s content (and your lungs dismay). Smokers who are seated inside will not be able to go into the beer garden to smoke as this risks infringing on our safe distancing measures. Instead they will be able to smoke outside on Fitzwilliam Street. Unfortunately you will not be able to take drinks with you outside.

 

What about payment?

We encourage customers to order and pay on our new app or use contactless payments. We will continue to accept cash.

 

Will you be serving food?

Initially we will not be serving food. Once we get a clear indication that the demand is there, we will again start serving up our amazing pies. If you would like us to serve food let us know; we are always trying to gauge demand.

 

What about the quiz and other events?

Our Sunday night quiz will return at 7pm on Sunday 19th July. Once we are up and running more events will follow.

 

Test and Trace?

The Government has asked us to collect contact details for NHS Test and Trace. As such we will ask for the contact details of at least one member of each group coming to The Sportsman. Whilst we will ask every group this is not mandatory and if you do not wish to leave contact details you do not have to. All your information will be held securely as per our GDPR policy and will not be used for any other purpose without your consent. Please refer to our ‘Privacy Notice’ on our website for more details.

 

 

What are the opening hours?

The current situation is very fluid and we will have to adapt and change over the coming weeks and months. Our initial opening hours are given below but this is likely to change as we get a better picture of what the situation will be.

 

Thursday 9th July: 4pm – 11pm

Friday 10th July: 12noon – 11pm

Saturday 11th July: 12noon – 11pm

Sunday 12th July: 12noon – 10pm

Monday 13th July: Closed

Tuesday 14th July: Closed

Wednesday 15th July: 4pm – 11pm

Thursday 16th July: 4pm – 11pm

Friday 17th July: 12noon – 11pm

Saturday 18th July: 12noon – 11pm

Sunday 19th July: 12noon – 10pm

Monday 20th July onwards TBC